Book 13: Chapter 2

There was a rancid smell in the damp air because, every few days, the dungeon would become a waterlogged area for a day or two. For some bizarre reason, the water flushes couldn’t take away the rotten stench.

Jiang Chen claimed the prison had existed for more than sixty years. Nonetheless, n.o.body had the bravery to ask him how he found such a brilliant place. By extension, n.o.body dared to ask why he loaned it out for the last two decades and put up with his tantrums instead of taking charge.

Jiang Chen, frankly, was a bag of mysteries even to members of Fiends’ Genesis. The authenticity of his origins, true skills, age, gender and any other visible data were questionable. Besides Shang Bies.h.i.+, n.o.body knew the real Jiang Chen. He was respected and trusted, nevertheless, because he was capable enough of always putting another one in the win column for them. Furthermore, he was the man loyalest to Shang Bies.h.i.+.

No one knew who used to be locked up in the enormous prison, who built the prison and where the strange stink came from. The other buildings at Fiends’ Genesis’ new headquarters were also particularly large to the point that one might mistake the buildings for one of the imperial court’s former palaces. The only aspect that could convince people that it was vacant was the terrain. Aside from a sect that wanted to isolate themselves from the rest of the world, n.o.body would choose this place without daylight as a base. n.o.body, of course, besides someone who needed that sort of environment.

Whether they were people who were trusted, invited or hired, the people guarding the new base abided by Jiang Chen’s orders. Zero was an invited individual who Jiang Chen entrusted the new base to. Zero was given more authority than the others because Jiang Chen trusted him.

Zero’s order to guard the prison wasn’t something they liked due to the horrendous smell, rats, bugs and whatnot.

Aside from the two Stars of Fiends’ Genesis, the people Zero a.s.signed to the prison were all established martial artists. Among them, Lang Qing and Ouyang Xiucai were the best and arguably superior to the Stars – Tian Gou and Kuanggu Sheng. Not even Zero could figure out how Jiang Chen persuaded them to aid his cause as they weren’t the type to take orders for a bit of money. Mount Taixing’s Soul-Stealing Twins were one of the keys to the group’s alliance.

The prison’s patrol arrangement changed daily. On the top level, two adepts guard guarded the door farthest out. One guard was a.s.signed to where the keys were inside. One guard was delegated to an exterior post, where they would watch and listen for danger. It was protocol to have two adepts inside at all times so that they could reinforce other, split tasks or any other necessary manner of action. Save for the day that water flooded in, other Fiends’ Genesis members would be spread out in every remaining corner.

Soul-Stealing Twins, two disciples of a secretive sect were known for their impeccable chemistry and dangerously violent natures. From the moment they debuted in the pugilistic world, they started going after officials along with committing other crimes as they tore through Jiangnan’s martial arts community. They only fled Jiangnan after Gold and Silver Sect put a bounty on their heads. They only returned to Jiangnan recently because the Seven Champion White Princes had stopped pressuring criminals, which was how they became acquainted with Jiang Chen and entered his employment.

“What are we guarding? A tiger or a lion? How many have they killed for us to be so cautious that we have to guard this place for an entire day? Sounds like even Fiends’ Genesis are afraid of death.”

“As long as we can protect this place, Jiang Chen promised to give us the three missing pages of ‘Sinister Soul Breaker Palms’. Once I master our forefather’s skills, I’ll no longer have to fear any man.”

The most notable characteristic of the twin’s “Soul-Stealing Palms” family discipline was its ability to induce illusions in the target’s mind once the pract.i.tioner was an advanced pract.i.tioner. However, it was only one part – specifically, two tenths – of “Sinister Soul Breaker Palms”. If that small fraction was enough to make them a threat in Jiangnan, it shouldn’t have been a surprise for the complete discipline to have been notorious and feared in the north before their time.

The short and dangerous elder brother, Yan Jibei, glared at his younger brother, Yan Jiangnan. “As for your deed, I’ll deal with it another time.”

Despite being taller than his elder brother, Yan Jiangnan lowered his head in fear. Contrary to his ambitious elder brother, Yan Jiangnan wasn’t particularly interested in power. When it came to making decisions, he’d rather leave them to his brother. Ever since a particular incident, he was always trying to find something to do so that he wouldn’t have to face his brother. Unlike in their room, unfortunately, there were only two chairs, a table, a pot of tea, two teacups, a wall and a captive in the dungeon. As such, he went to feed the captive instead of sitting face to face with his brother.

While the task of delivering a meal a day to the captive was delegated to servants, there was no policy against others supplying him with mantous, water and the sort. Yan Jiangnan shoved a chunk of mantou into the captive’s mouth, grabbed the captive’s jaws to make him chew, then raised his head back so that he’d swallow.

The bearded captive didn’t look old in spite of his white hair. His lips were chapped, face was ghastly white, skin was in bad condition and had bugs trying to explore the wound at his chest.

Suddenly, Yan Jiangnan felt a hot breath on his hand, compelling him to lunge backward. “Wh-what the?!”

“What?” Yan Jibei grouched.

“I-I think he just moved!”

“He moved? Let me see.” Upon a.s.sessing the captive, Yan Jibei exclaimed, “Moved, my foot! He’s as still as a corpse.”

“But he really did m-”

“Hmph.” Yan Jibei went back to his chair. “He looks like an idiot. His collarbone is broken. His arm and leg tendons have been destroyed. Even if he can move, is he someone you should be afraid of?”

As much as Yan Jiangnan wanted to argue otherwise, he had no proof to support his suspicion, so he resumed feeding the captive, albeit paying more attention than last time. Only a few pieces of mantou in, Yan Jiangnan exclaimed. “He just spoke!”

“Who?”

“Th-this guy! H-he just spoke!”

Yan Jibei grouchily went to check again. This time, though, he was shocked to hear the captive constantly murmuring.

“He’s come to. Let’s notify Zero.”

“Relax. There’s no need to be so nervous. Heh, who would’ve thought he’d come to on our first day guarding this c.r.a.p hole.” Curious as to who the captive could possibly be, Yan Jibei leaned in to hear what the captive was murmuring. Whatever he heard impelled him to back off whilst pulling his brother along. “Wait!”

“Wh-what’s the matter?”

“Sh, don’t let anyone hear us!”

Wu Ping, who was on guard duty outside, questioned, “Brother Yan, is everything all right inside?”

Yan Jibei conversed with his brother using his eyes whilst answering, “Thank you for asking. I was just arguing with my brother. Everything is okay.”

“Great.”

Bewildered by his brothers lies and actions, Yan Jiangnan queried, “Brother, why are w-”

“One more useless word out of your mouth and I’ll end you!” threatened Yan Jibei, in a stifled voice. “Why, you ask? Because we’d lose out if someone comes, nimrod! Listen in closely. He’s…” Yan Jibei’s voice became a little shaky and drastically softer, almost as though he was afraid the captive would hear him.

Yan Jiangnan leaned in as his brother suggested. “… Isn’t this…”

“It is! He’s reciting the key points of Sinister Soul Breaker Palms!”